An investigation into the way tickets are sold in the live music industry has ruled that the sector needs to be clearer on prices, booking fees and terms and conditions.
Although the Office Of Fair Trading report did not find any evidence of uncompetitive practices in the ticket selling sector, it did criticise the erratic nature of booking fees which, it says, vary hugely from company to company, who might charge anywhere between 10% to 65% of ticket price. The report said that over a third of consumers interviewed complained that booking fees had been higher than expected, especially for tickets sold online, sparking a call for a review of the way gigs and events are advertised, so that the cost of additional booking fees is clearer.
Commenting on the report, OFT chairman Sir John Vickers told reporters yesterday: "Ticket agents can provide a better and fairer service for consumers. Clearer price information and the elimination of unfair contract terms would improve choice and value."
**Jonathan
Brown, secretary of the UK Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers**, while denying legitimate ticket agencies were guilty of profiting from hidden charges, generally welcomed the report - which had most criticism for unofficial ticket touts. Brown: "We are increasingly concerned at levels of malpractice, misrepresentation and old-fashioned rip-offs."